1997 528i Avoid or buy?

[Russell]

I have a friend who wants a e39. However, they are currently looking at a white/tan automatic 97 528i with 110,000 miles. It is an auction car with no history. I think it has the sport package as it has the deep dish cross spoke wheels. The ratty looking used car lot wants $11,000. IMO, I sort of told them to avoid the car as it is a first year supposedly with problems. Complete lack of history and slightly rough rear interior concerned me as well.

Are there any partiular problems they should look for with 97s or for that matter any e39?

I am also personally interested as I may get one for my wife. I will be looking for a 2001 530i.

TIA

[Russell]

Anyone?

[Scott C]

Anyone?
I would be leary of the first model year of ANY car - even more so a complicated one like the 97...

my 2 cents..

Scott

[DueyT]

This is one of the longer TSB/recall lists I've ever seen...


1997 BMW 528i TSBs/Recalls (http://www.alldata.com/TSB/06/97068133.html)
Cheers,
Duey

[winfred]

they seem to be ok cars but i ain't gonna buy one, my e34 handles better, looks better, has less breakable plastic crap and doesn't have that annoying push button hvac control (i hate push button hvac systems). the newer stuff does have some odd features, the boss just picked up a 01 740il friday from the auction and it's got some stuff i could do without, the active seats are just weird, about every 5-10 seconds one butt cheek or the other gets moved up or down what feels like a half inch by some kind of fluid filled bladder in the bottom pad, i could do without that

[Russell]

Thanks - confirmed what I thought -stay away from 97s